Furniture unit with reversible doors



Feb. 22, 1966 H. YAWORSKI 3,236,575

FURNITURE UNIT WITH REVERSIBLE DOORS Filed May 22, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ZNVENTOR Feb. 22, 1966 H. YAWORSKI 3,236,575

FURNITURE UNIT WITH REVERSIBLE DOORS Filed May 22, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 28 United States Patent 3,236,575 FURNITURE UNIT WITH REVERSIBLE DOORS Helena Yaworski, 68 Anthony Road, Downsview, Ontario, Canada Filed May 22, 1964, Ser. No. 369,522 6 Claims. (Cl. 312-204) This invention relates generally to furniture construction and more particularly to a furniture unit of the type embodying sliding access doors as in certain designs of cabinets, dressers, bureaus and the like.

It is conventional practice to utilize sliding access panels in the construction of certain forms of furniture, such panels generally being operable within runner grooves or on rollers and cooperable tracks. Whether dual panelled or multi-panelled, the units are so designed as to permit lateral sliding of the panels in such a manner as to permit overlapping thereof, access to all areas of the unit interior thereby being made available.

A survey of the prior art in this field reveals numerous systems of sliding panel construction, most of which appear to fulfill their intended functions adequately. Thus, although this specification is concerned with a sliding access panel structure as related to furniture, its chief preoccupation lies in the aesthetic aspect of such panelling rather than the system of sliding operation, the conventional sliding panels of such furniture providing no means whereby the appearance of a unit may be modified.

Quite often furniture units govern the decorative character of a room wherein they are located, a certain unit or set thereof being of a nature suitable to a particular decor, any change in which may be goverened by the appearance of the particular unit or units of furniture, thereby limiting the choice of decoration.

Having in mind therefore, the utility of furnishing units embodying sliding panels and wishing to improve the aesthetic appeal of such furniture, it is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a furniture unit with sliding, reversible and interchangeable doors, referred to hereinafter by the abbreviated term of furniture unit, which may have its component sliding panels constructed in such a manner as to be interchangable and reversible.

Another important object of my invention provides a furniture unit, the panels of which may have their surfaces veneered with different coloured and grained woods, one surface thereof, for example being veneered with, say rosewood, the reverse surface being veneered with, say maple.

Yet another object of my invention provides a furniture unit, the door panels of which may have their respective surfaces covered with variously figured plastic or decorative cloth overlays, such surfaces being selectively exposed at will to complement any particular room decor.

Still another object of this invention resides in the provision of a furniture unit, the sliding panels of which may be removed therefrom and replaced in reverse attitude, the complete removal and re-assembly being effected quickly and simply without having to remove screws, bolts or the like.

A further object of the invention provides a furniture unit of the character herein described which has its sliding door panels equipped with dual action knobs, such knobs being adapted for extension from either surface of their relative panels, thereby providing convenient handling means therefor.

Yet a further object of this invention seeks to provide a furniture unit, the corner sections relative to the sliding panels being removable therefrom.

Still a further object of the invention provides a furniture unit, the corner sections relative to the sliding panels being adapted to hinge assembly if required.

3,236,575 Patented Feb. 22, 1966 ice A yet further object of my invention resides in providing a furniture unit of the type herein described which is yet relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

The aforementioned and various other pertinent objects and features of my invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of parts and arrangements when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings in which like characters of reference designate like parts in the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a representative furniture unit embodying the instant invention and shown with a three panel access.

FIG. 2 is a broken, enlarged detailed view of a removable corner post embodied in the invention.

FIG. 3 is a broken, enlarged detailed view of an alternative form of removable corner post embodied in the invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the alternative form of corner post illustrated in FIG. 3 showing the hinge means by which it is secured to the main body of the furniture unit, and viewed from the underside.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the alternative form of corner post illustrated in FIG. 3, here shown in the extended position and viewed from the underside.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of one corner of a furniture unit, shown from the underside and embodying the form of corner post illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a sectional, fragmentary plan view of a sliding door panel embodied in the invention and details the form of dual position handle or knob used therewith.

Referring to FIG. 1 a furniture unit generally designated by the arrow 10 includes a top member 11, a base member 12, a rear wall 13 and side walls 14, the complete assembly thereof being supported on legs 15 or the like.

Furniture unit 10 is adapted to embody a plurality of panel members 16 which may be spacially related in such a manner as to seal off the interior of unit 10, a first like plurality of runner grooves 17 being formed longitudinally in the upper surface of base member 12 in substantially close adjacency to the front edge 12a thereof, grooves 17 being disposed in parallel spaced apart relationship to each other, and a second like plurality of grooves 18 being formed in similar manner and disposition in the undersurface of top member 11, panels 16 each being slidably operable within a cooperable lower and upper groove. Thus it will be seen that access to unit 10 may readily be achieved by sliding any of the said panels either to the right or left as the case may be with regard to the outer panels or by sliding the central panels right or left.

It will readily be appreciated that, although a tri-panel construction is detailed in this specification, a two-panel or multiple-panel construction may be regarded as being equally applicable. Similarly, the general configuration of unit 10 need not necessarily be limited to the one here depicted.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 it will be seen that unit 10 is supplied with vertical corner sections 19, sections 19 being located at the front of unit 10 and adjacent panels 16.

Sections 19, which are adapted to be detachably attached to unit 10 each include an elongate member 20 of rectangular section, one face of which is supplied with a longitudinally extending tongue 21, tongue 21 being located centrally thereon and integral therewith and being of rectangular section.

Upper end 20a of each of members 20 has formed thereon an upwardly projecting dowel 22, dowel 22 being located centrally of end 20a and having a circular section.

In assembly each of corner sections 19 is mounted vertically in its pertinent location, tongue 21 being received by a longitudinally formed groove 23 located within the front edge 14a of the adjacent side wall 14, base member 12 having its relevant corners cut away to accommodate the section of members 20 and tongues 21.

Similarly, dowel 22 is received within a dowel hole formed in a pertinent location on the underside of top member 11. Corner sections 19 are retained in the assembled attitude by means of a swivelable peg 24, peg, 24 having one end 24a. thereof pivotally afiixed to the underside of base member 12, the opposite free end 24b being capable of location directly adjacent end 20b of member 20, thereby eliminating any tendency for the said member to drop.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, wherein an alternative form of removable corner section is depicted and designated generally by the arrow 25, corner section 25 is of elongate, rectangular configuration and is-aflixed to unit by means of a piano hinge 26, hinge 26 being supplied with a spring member 27, spring member 27 being so mounted on hinge 26 as to bias the two leaves of hinge 26 together. As hinge 26 is affixed to the front edge 14a of its relevant side wall 14 and also to one face of corner section 25 in such a manner as to hold section 25 in the required corner relationship to unit 10, it will be seenthat pressure from spring member 27 will hold section 25 securely in position, yet will allow the complete corner section to be hinged arcuately through substantially 180 degrees.

It will readily be apparent that either corner sections 19 or corner sections 25 are so designed as to allow the complete, sliding removal of access panels 16 from unit 10 either singly or in plurality.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 7 it will be seen that the surfaces of panels 16 are differently patterned, a veneer of, say oak 16a, being imposed on one side and a liner of say leather 16b, being impose on the opposite side. Thus, by selective arrangement of panel 16, different aesthetic effects may be obtained according to taste and preference.

In order to facilitate the selective reversal of the pertinent faces of panels 16, handle units 28 of dual positioning are provided on each of the said panels.

Referring particularly to FIG. 7, a handle unit 28 representative of all the handle units embodied in the construction, includes a central connecting shank 29, shank 29 being aflixed at its opposite ends within a pair of gripping knobs 3i) and 31 respectively, knobs 30 and 31 being maintained in a fixed, spaced apart relationship and each having a truncated conical form tapering to a semi-circular trough 32 and terminating in a circular flange 33.

A knob housing 34, formed through panel 16 and substantially toward one outer edge thereof is adapted to receive knobs 30 and 31 the configuration of housing 34 being such as to accommodate the said knobs.

A knob locking unit 35 includes a cylindrical tube 36 having a first blanked off end 36a and a second open end 36b. A helical spring 37 housed longitudinally within tube 36 applies pressure against a captive ball 38 being biased outwardly for a limited distance.

In assembly, unit 35 is housed within panel 16 a tunnel 39 being formed therein from the outer edge of the panel to the housing 34, thereby locating tube 36 centrally therewithin. Thus, upon say, knob 31 being required to project outwardly of one face of panel 16, it would be pulled in the direction of arrow head A, thereby causing knob 30 to enter accommodating housing 34, ball 38 entering trough 32 and locking knob 30 in its recessed position, knob 31 being utilized for the sliding of its panel 16 either right or left as indicated by double head arrow C.

Upon the panel 16 requiring to be reversed, the opposite procedure is effected, knob 31 thereby becoming recessed and knob 30 projecting outwardly for handling.

It will readily be understood that ball 38, having a limited projection only and being captively retained Within the end of tube 36 will not drop free during the transitional stage of repositioning knobs 3i] and 31. Further, it is intended that tubes 36 achieve a substantially tight friction fit within their respective tunnels 39;

Thus I have provided a furniture unit embodying a quality of plurality of sliding access panels, such panels being easily removable therefrom and replaced in reverse face disposition thereby providing means for a range of selective surface decoration; and handle means,.readily re-positioned without the necessity of removal and reassembly.

The general design of the individual parts of the invention as explained above may be varied in accordance with manufacturers requirements and production thereof, while still remaining within the spirit and principle of the invention without prejudicing thenovelty thereof.

The embodiments of this invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: g

1. A furniture unit including a top member, a base member, a rear wall and side walls, said top and base member, said rear wall and said side walls being so assembled as to enclose and define a substantially cubic area; at least two access panels, asid access panels being. slidably operable across the front of said assembled top and base members, rear wall and side walls; said access panels being capable of overlapping each other thereby providing access to all interior areas of said unit; at least one detachably attachable corner section, said section being located at the front of said unit and adjacent said access panels; said access panels having their surface areas supplied with various forms of veneers, decorative liners and the like; said access panels being removable from said unit and returnable thereto in reverse face disposition; handle means, said handle means being embodied in said access panels and having dual positions with regard to said faces of said access panels; said handle requiring no removal during the withdrawal of their pertinent panels and replacement thereof; and leg support means for the elevation of said unit above floor level.

2. A furniture unit as defined in claim 1 in which said access panels may be spacially related in such a manner as to seal off the interior of said unit; a first plurality of grooves being formed longitudinally in the upper surface of said base member in substantially close adjacency to the front edge thereof, said grooves being disposed in parallel spaced apart relationship to each other; a second plurality of grooves being formed in similar manner and disposition in the underside of said top member; and said access panels each being slidably operable within a cooperable first and second groove of said first and said second plurality of grooves.

3. A furniture unit as defined in claim 1 in which said detachably attachable corner section includes an elongate rectangular member, one face of which is supplied with a longitudinally extending tongue, said tongue being located centrally thereon and integral therewith and having a rectangular section; a dowel, said dowel projecting upwardly from the upper end of said member; said tongue being received by a cooperable, longitudinally formed groove located within the fornt edge of one of said side walls, said base member having its adjacent corner cut away to accommodate the section of said member and said tongue, said dowel being received within a cooperable dowel hole formed in the underside of said top member; and a peg member, said peg having one end thereof pivotally affixed to the underside of said base member, the opposite free end thereof being capable of location immediately adjacent the lower end of said rectangular member.

4-. A furniture unit as defined in claim 1 in which said detachably attachable corner section includes an elongate rectangular member, one face of which has affixed thereto a piano hinge leaf, the sister leaf thereof being affixed to the front edge of one of said side walls, said hinge having spring means embodied therein, said spring means biasing said hinge leaves toward each other thereby holding said rectangular member securely in position yet permitting said member to swing through substantially 180 degrees outwardly of said furniture unit.

5. A furniture unit as defined in claim 1 in which said handle means include a central connecting shank, said shank being afiixed at its opposite ends within a pair of gripping knobs, said knobs being maintained in a fixed spaced apart relationship and each having a truncated conical form tapering to a semi-circular trough and terminating in a circular flange; said knobs being operable within a knob housing, said knob housing being formed Within a relative panel and substantially toward one outer edge thereof said housing being of such a configuration as to accommodate either of said knobs; a knob locking unit, said unit including a cylindrical tube, said tube having a blanked off end and an open end; a helical spring housed longituidnally within said tube; a ball, said ball being captively retained within said open end of said tube and being biased outwardly therefrom for a limited distance; said tube being housed within said panel, a tunnel being formed through said panel from the outer edge thereof to said housing; a first of said knobs being located within said housing, said ball being received by said semi-circular trough of said first knob thereby locking the same within said housing, said second knob projecting outwardly of said panel and said furniture unit; and a reverse disposition of said knobs being effected by the simple expedient of pushing said second knob inwardly of said housing thereby causing said first knob to protrude from the opposite side of said panel, and

6 said tube effecting a substantially tight friction fit within said tunnel.

6. A furniture unit including a top member, a base member, a rear wall and side walls, said top and base member, said rear wall and said side walls being so assembled as to enclose and define a substantially cubic area; one or more access panels, said access panels being slidably operable across the front of said assembled top and base members, rear wall and side walls; said access panels being capable of overlapping each other thereby providing access to all interior areas of said unit; at least one detachably attachable corner section, said section being located at the front of said unit and adjacent said access panels; said access panels having their surface areas supplied with various forms of veneers, decorative liners and the like; said access panels being removable from said unit and returnable thereto in reverse face disposition; handle means, said handle means being embodied in said access panels and having dual postions with regard to said faces of said access panels; said handle requiring no removal during the withdrawal of their pertinent panels and replacement thereof; and leg support means for the elevation of said unit above floor level.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 218,883 8/1879 Hopkins 4()--64 517,477 4/1894 Ohmer 312295 X 2,463,238 3/1949 Bissell 312-138 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,256,445 2/1961 France.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

F. DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner, 

1. A FURNITURE UNIT INCLUDING A TOP MEMBER, A BASE MEMBER, A REAR WALL AND SIDE WALLS, SAID TOP AND BASE MEMBER, SAID REAR WALL AND SAID BASE WALLS BEING SO ASSEMBLED AS TO ENCLOSE AND DEFINE A SUBSTANTIALLY CUBIC AREA; AT LEAST TWO ACCESS PANELS, SAID ACCESS PANELS BEING SLIDABLY OPERABLE ACROSS THE FRONT OF SAID ASSEMBLED TOP AND BASE MEMBERS, REAR WALL AND SIDE WALLS; SAID ACCESS PANELS BEING CAPABLE OF OVERLAPPING EACH OTHER THEREBY PROVIDING ACCESS TO ALL INTERIOR AREAS OF SAID UNIT; AT LEAST ONE DETACHABLY ATTACHABLE CORNER SECTION, SAID SECTION BEING LOCATED AT THE FRONT OF SAID UNIT AND ADJACENT SAID ACCESS PANELS; SAID ACCESS PANELS HAVING THEIR SURFACE AREAS SUPPLIED WITH VARIOUS FORMS OF VENEERS, DECORATIVE LINEARS AND THE LIKE; SAID ACCESS PANELS BEING REMOVABLE FROM SAID UNIT AND RETURNABLE THERETO IN REVERSE FACE DISPOSITION; HANDLE MEANS, SAID HANDLE MEANS BEING EMBODIED IN SAID ACCESS PANELS AND HAVING DUAL POSITIONS WITH REGARD TO SAID FACES OF SAID ACCESS PANELS; SAID HANDLE REQUIRING NO REMOVAL DURING THE WITHDRAWAL OF THEIR PERTINENT PANELS AND REPLACEMENT THEREOF; AND LEG SUPPORT MEANS FOR THE ELEVATION OF SAID UNIT ABOVE FLOOR LEVEL. 